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Saturday, October 31, 2009

I had announced there was a prize for the best theme decorated trunk. Last year no one did a think with my offer. This year some went all out (I was happily surprised). These were the top four trunks. Some of them the details aren’t apparent in the pictures but there the best I’ve got:

Tonight was our annual trunk or treat with an underwater twist. It was awesome this year. Outside were the cars ready with candy. Inside we had a bounce castle (it was actually a monster truck bouncer) in the foyer, a giant dark maze in the sanctuary, and downstairs a number of theme related games. At least 20 families participated (a few choose not to register/have their picture taken) and tons of fun.

Oh and I was an octopus –with blue hair. Thank you to Heidi who spent most of the day making the costume.

Cold, flu, and general sickness is in the air. Everyone I know is either sick, getting sick, or getting over being sick. I’ve had a slow progressing cough for two weeks but Monday all memories of good health disappeared. Wednesday, I visited a local clinic. Good news –not the flu, the fever had broke, and they gave me a new inhaler.

Last night I used it for the first time right before bed. The right before bed part of taking medicine was the mistake. Crazier dreams than if I had pepperoni just before visiting dream land. Weird the things affect sleep.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Have you ever visited post secrets? It is an ongoing community art project. How it works people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. Some secrets are funny, some incredibly person, and some just make me want to cry. When I first discovered the site I loved it but I’ve stopped visiting because it was pulling me down.

Today when I was cleaning my blogger drafts I found these secrets I had saved over a year ago because both secrets saddened and concerned me. A year later I have the same reaction.

I'm an agnostic who works it a church nursery every Sunday. I had to sign the application for the job saying that I have been baptized even though I haven't,but I love those kids and I don't regret it one bit. -quoted on post secrets

Saturday, October 24, 2009

While hanging with Gina tonight I wanted to show her the socks I am making so I logged onto Ravelry. Then I tried to re-find a neat project to show her. In the searching in process we found this AMAZING blanket. Knitting and crochet isn't normally considered cool -but this is. It is the best of gaming and knitting combine.

The creator designed the pattern herself and then made the blanket for her husband. Its a huge project, big enough for a queen (king) size bed and so detailed. LOVE it! Its increased my desire to learn to crochet. You can find more here.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Dominion is a fast paced card game by Donald X. Vaccarino and published by Rio Grande Games. Players begin with an identical, very small deck of cards. In the middle of the table are "Kingdom” cards that can "bought" depending on the hand drawn. How you use your hand and what you choose to buy effects the deck you build. You are attempting to create the most efficient method of “buying” precious victory points to win the game.

What I love about the game is the possibilities. Every time you play the game dynamics could be completely different based on the action cards you choose. The box includes 25 different action cards but you only put ten of these out. You could use one of their suggested games or make a random deck. It is also one of the quicker games I play (30min), is easy for newcomers to pick up, and popular with most people who has played it. It won Spiel des Jahres 2009 (the German Game of the Year Award same award as Settlers in 1995) and nine other gaming awards (credit: boardgamegeek.com). From the back of the box:

"You are a monarch, like your parents before you, a ruler of a small pleasant kingdom of rivers and evergreens. Unlike your parents, however, you have hopes and dreams! You want a bigger and more pleasant kingdom, with more rivers and a wider variety of trees. You want a Dominion! In all directions lie fiefs,freeholds, and feodums. All are small bits of land, controlled by petty lords and verging on anarchy. You will bring civilization to these people, uniting them under your banner.

"But wait! It must be something in the air; several other monarchs have had the exact same idea. You must race to get as much of the unclaimed land as possible, fending them off along the way. To do this you will hire minions, construct buildings, spruce up your castle, and fill the coffers of your treasury. Your parents wouldn't be proud, but your grandparents would be delighted."

The Game Set Up

The Scores:Dominion = 8.8The Rate the Fun Scale:10 = Outstandingly Awesome Game; Always want to play it and I expect this will never change.9 = Excellent Game; Always want to play it.8 = Very good game; I like to play. Probably I'll suggest it and I'll never turn down a game.7 = Good game; Usually willing to play.6 = Okay game; There is some element of fun or challenge; will play sporadically if in the right mood.5 = Fair game; Slightly boring, take it or leave it.4 =Not so good; It doesn't get me but I could be talked into it on ccasion.3 = Bad; Likely won't play this again but could be convinced.2 = Extremely annoying game; Won't play this ever again.1 = Clearly broken; You won't catch me dead playing this.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

I love the fall. It isn’t just the crisp air, fresh apples, or the changing leaves. It is more than the justification that knitted creations are warm, beautiful and needed. The fall means November and another chance to push myself to write a novel.

I love everything about National Novel Writing Month or (nanowrimo). Extra bonus -this year I am a ML for OLL, yay! Before last year’s challenge had ended I was dreaming about a 2009 plot. It was outlined and prepared. Until one fateful night in August while standing in the line for stale popcorn I reached into my pocket and pulled out a tile from my favourite board game “Elfenland” when a dread plot bunny hopped into my head.

I’ve followed this white rabbit into a new world that I am enjoying discovering and am looking forward to writing the characters adventures. Of the three years I’ve participated in nanowrimo this had to be my favourite story idea yet. The writing begins in eleven days.

Thursday, October 08, 2009

Why is it the youth nights I am the most excited for seem to leave me the most drained, upset, and feeling like a failure? At least the Thankful Thursdays helps me shut off the negative brain talk. These are my joys:

1) Friends you can call on bad days –thanks Steph

2) Action-people. Sunday was a church pizza party. We had a inflatable castle. The power went out in the middle of the service. A volunteer’s husband left as soon as it happened, drove to work, asked to borrow their generator and had it in time for the children to bounce! It was awesome.

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

I’ve been struggling with my thought process lately; it seems to be working against me. It’s not what I am thinking that’s the problem but more when I am thinking. All my good ideas come to me at the wrong times. It’s been things like:

-coming up with bloggable ideas when I am driving or at home (no internet)-thinking about ministry projects when I am suppose to be on personal time-great plot developments for my story when I’m at work-being flooded with ideas right before bed-remembering errands when the store is closed

Often the ideas are neat and get me energized which then distracts me from what has to be done. I tried carrying a notebook with me which worked except when I was driving and until I forget the notebook. It’s very frustrating.

Friday, October 02, 2009

I’m not a newsaholic. I miss most headlines. Once and while (when I stay up late enough) I might catch a satirical version of the news on the Daily Show but I don’t think that counts. However today was different. Today I indecisive about which CD to listen to so instead my car played CBC radio. A few of the stories caught my attention. My headline has a link to the CBC article.

The Value of a Life: I had just turned my car on when the announcer was explaining, “In exchange for the video, the first visual proof that Sgt. Gilad Schalit is alive, Israel freed 19 Palestinian female prisoners earlier today.” Schalit has been a prisoner of war for three year. Hamas is asking that the Israeli government release 1200 prisoners in exchange for the Schalit. As I listened the thought that grew was “so Hamas thinks an Israeli soldier’s freedom is 1000 times more valuable than a Palestinian life.” I know that is not the intent of the demand but that is how I interpreted it.

Election Won By Draw: Yay for the democratic process but when that doesn’t work games of chance are the next best option? The radio had the returning major state, “I am very happy with the results.” Not sure of their source but I would be too. The loser who had won by two ballots before the recount is speaking to lawyers.

The Pot Calling the Kettle Black: The summer Nova Scotia had a provincial election because NDP and Liberals defeated a motion that NDP member Graham Steel called "poor fiscal planning." Today the new NDP majority government is doing what they defeated former Tory government. So really nothing has changed -the members of government just 10-million dollar game of musical chairs.

2016 Olympic Host: When I caught the story this morning the vote was still known. I was hoping Rio de Janeiro would earn the bid. It would be the first time the Olympic Games were held in South America. CBC said, “To enhance its bid, Rio brought its own superstar to the showdown — Pele, the widely acknowledged "King of Soccer." He reminded voters this was the fourth time Brazil has tried for the Olympics, and the people of his country support the effort at the grassroots level.” They are celebrating in Brazil because Rio will be the 2016 host city.

Site Launch: National Novel Writing Month (nanowrimo) is 30 days way. The new site is up and running since yesterday. Anyone interested in participating in this exhilarating writing experience can sign up today. (This fact wasn’t heard on CBCradio but it is still true and the link with take you to www.nanowrimo.org).